Tunisia

By Kenza Ben Azouz, Middle East and North Africa Division | – Published in: Nawaat ( Human Rights Watch) – President Kais Said marked National Women’s Day in Tunisia on August 13 by sending his wife to make a celebratory speech in which she sang her husband’s praises. That didn’t sit well with many Tunisians […]

Authoritarianism

How Tunisians can instill Democracy in the Face of growing Authoritarianism

Waging Nonviolence

By Craig Brown | – ( Waging Nonviolence ) – As Tunisia’s president Kais Saied takes the country down the path of authoritarianism, opponents faced a quandary about what to do during the July 25 referendum, on a constitution that will hand Saied significant power. Political opponents and civil society organizations considered whether it was […]

Islam

How this Tunisian Island brings Muslims and Jews Together

Global Voices

By Imen Boudali | Raseef22 | – This article by Imen Boudali was first published by Raseef22, and is being republished as part of a content-sharing partnership with Global Voices. ( Globalvoices.org ) – In May of each year, Tunisia hosts a unique and extraordinary event. The north African country, home to the oldest synagogue […]

Arab World

Is the Return of Dictatorship in Tunisia the end of the Arab Spring Youth Movements?

Global Voices

By Yosr Jouini | – ( Globalvoices.org) – On July 25, 2021, Tunisian President-elect Kais Said announced the dismissal of the prime minister, a freeze of the elected parliament, and his rule by decree. While Tunisia has been lauded as the only Arab Spring country to succeed in its democratic transition, this latest announcement fuelled […]

Authoritarianism

End of Democracy in Tunisia: Unprecedented Confiscation of Power by the Presidency

Human Rights Watch

( Joint Statement of Human Rights Watch et al.) – The promulgation on September 22, of Presidential Decree No. 117 implicitly abrogating the constitutional order in Tunisia is a first step towards authoritarianism. This turning point threatens the human rights and democratic aspirations of the Tunisian people. While recognizing the limits of the current political […]

Authoritarianism

Tunisia: President’s Repressive Policies Abrogate Rights: Dozens Placed Under Arbitrary House Arrest (HRW)

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch (Tunis) – Arbitrary and politically motivated acts of repression have proliferated in Tunisia since July 25, 2021, when President Kais Saied suspended parliament, Human Rights Watch said today. He also lifted parliamentary immunity, dismissed the head of government, and took control of the office of the public prosecutor. Three parliament members have […]

Authoritarianism

Is Tunisia’s president largely responsible for the disaster he says he is trying to fix with his Coup?

Middle East Monitor

By Adnan Hmidan | – ( Middle East Monitor ) – The constitutionally-limited role of the president of the republic in Tunisia doesn’t encourage involvement or intervention in day to day affairs; that is the role of parliament and the government, headed by the prime minister. This has vexed constitutional law professor Kais Saied, who […]

Authoritarianism

Tunisia: the complex issues behind the presidential power-grab

The Conversation

By Mariam Salehi | – Ten years on from the Arab uprisings, Tunisia has often been presented as a rare success story. Elsewhere Egypt sank into an army dictatorship, Syria, Libya and Yemen into bloody civil war. In other countries, meanwhile, such as Bahrain, the protests were put down with ferocity and the old regimes […]

Authoritarianism

Tunisia’s presidential power-grab is a test for its democracy

Open Democracy

By Larbi Sadiki and Layla Saleh | – ( OpenDemocracy.net ) – In a shocking move, Tunisia’s President Kais Saied invoked Article 80 of the country’s constitution on 25 July, the nation’s annual Republic Day. Citing “exceptional” circumstances, he sacked Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, froze the Parliament and lifted the immunity of its members, granted […]